Chriso

I picked up a papered Shin Shinto Toshizane katana a while back and I've been trying to figure out the school that the Tsube belongs, and indeed if it is original or not. I would appreciate any help and views positive or otherwise. Mokko-Gata Height: 7.9mm Width: 7.6mm Thickness of plate and Seppa Dai: 4mm Thickness at Mimi: 6mm (1mm front and back Nakago-ana: has not been adjusted to fit Kozuka and Kogi Hitsu-ana are both filled and identical in shape Many thanks Chris

Thanks for the heads up Reinhard, It' a good looking piece that SEIKEIDO has on the website. Pity the text is in Japanese, I'm currently taking a break from trying to determin what the Kanji state. Only kidding. Best wishes Chris

Reinhard, thanks for the additional Info. It now gives me other areas to look at. I'm starting to put together a pretty reasonable picture of this smith. Regards Chris

Koichi-san and Jean, Thank you both for your patients and your guidance. This is one lesson that I will not be forgetting. Chris O

Ok, so based on my understanding of the references, I've had a go at determining the front of the Origami. I'm unsure in a number of areas so I will keep plugging away. To date and reading from the right I think I have: * Kanteisho - An appraisal written in calligraphy * Blade Length - Nagasa 2 Shaku 1 Bu * Item Katana - mei - Inaba Toshizani * Rank is Hozon - Examination by the Tokyo branch has resulted in the decision that the Item is worthy of presevation * Date paper was written - Hei-sei (1989) 6 year - 12 month - 6 day. (6 December 1989) * Paper was produced by NBTHK, the organisation is officially recognised as an incorporated foundation hopeing that at least some of this is correct. Cheers Chris

Thanks for the info Remzy. I've had a good look at the lines under a loupe and there seems to be some remnants of silver material which makes me wonder if the piece has had a rough life and may originally have included zogan which has been lost. Chris O

You are right of course Jean. Thanks for the guidance. I'll have a go at it and post the results. I am learning........trust me Chris O

Well, what a great opportunity to put faces to names. Adrian and the volunteers really excelled in the organisation department. I actually overheard a number of people mentioning what a good time they were having, and I was certainly one of them. Great to hear that there are plans to do this again in a couple of years. In addition it was great to catch up with the Melbourne boys who have the Nihonto display at the Art Gallery of NSW, their willingness to explain the finer points to this numptie was greatly appreciated and I didn't dribble on any of their display. I'm hopeing that this will now provide an opportunity for interested parties in Sydney and Canberra to get together from time to time to dabble in our interest. Cheers, all the very best and thank you for a great weekend Chris O

Many thanks for the link Koichi-san. Is it possible for you to determine what the text including date of issue actually states for me. Best wishes Chris O

I picked up what I think is a very nice papered Katana by Toshizane which I'm in the process of collecting information on. To date I believe that he was a Shin Shinto smith who was also the teacher of both Kiyomaro and Masao, and his Hawleys rating is 35 points Ref TOS354. Unfortunately at the moment that is all that i have, apart from the NBTHK Origami. Is there anyone that could please give me a hand in translating the text of these papers to help me put together a better picture of this Smith. I've read Dr Stein's artical on Japanese Sword Authentication Papers, so I have an idea what each column of Kanje represents but not the actual detail on this certificate. Regards Chris O

Ok I'm back on earth again, I guess I didn't really think it was going to be that easy. I dropped a line to Ford and he explained the situation regarding the work that he does. Ford also sent me a link to his web site showing the before and after shots of his re-patination work with Tsuba, It's beautiful stuff. I think on this one though I should just leave the piece and appreciate it the way it is. Although I like it very much, I don't think the quality warrants the extra work. So.....I've learnt something else today! All the best Chris O

Thanks for the response John, I certainly aggree with you that the piece could have been a lot better with a bit effort on the fine detail. I'll contact Ford about his 'Fabulous Shinchu Patination Compound' which sounds interesting, I must admit that Shinchu in its normal state does not seem to get much of a patina. Cheers Chris

Could anyone please help me out with some details on this tsuba to start me off. I'm lead to believe it may be Nara, but I haven't been able to find any other information as yet. Height:7.5 cm Width: 7.1 cm Depth: 0.5 cm Many thanks Chris O

Oops my mistake, sorry all Thanks Brian Chris o

Here are a couple of pics of the second Tsuba that I picked up in Sydney last weekend. To some it may be rather plain and similar to the last one that I posted on Monday, but i think it has a certain charm in its simplicity. Interestingly, it has a couple of geometric intersecting lines on the back that you may be able to see in pic 7a. Height: 4.7mm Width: 4.6mm Centre: 4.0mm Rim: 2.0mm Enjoy, and feel free to comment. chris o

G'Day all I had the opportunity to pick up a couple of Tsuba at the Sydney Shinsa the other day and I'll post them for your pleasure or entertainment over the next few days. The first one i would like to ask your opinion on is I'm guessing possibly later Tosho. Height: 76mm Width: 76mm Rim thickness:1.5mm Centre thickness:3.5mm round cournered rim Any comments will be greatfully received, and I'm happy to stand corrected on this one if I'm wrong. Best Chris O

Thanks very much for your help on this one Ford. I must admit that I do like the simplicity of this design, and It's nice to know that it is one worth keeping. I've recently purchased a couple of good books that I'm finding facinating reading (Tsuba an aesthetic study and Early Japanese sword guards - Sasano 1972) but I think it is going to be some time before I'm comfortable making a call on any piece. Cheers Chris O

G'day all, I'm feeling a bit lost out here. Any help would be greatfully received. best Chris O

G'day all, A while back i picked up a Wakizashi that I'm lead to believe is probably Koto era. It was suggested that the tsuka was much younger at around late Edo. The Tsuba has got my interest in that it is a very simpe design with brass Zogan on both sides but it also has a distinct line on both sides which from a distance look like cuts or slashes but from closer inspection look more like forging marks. These cuts or slashes or what ever they are do not correspond with one another as the sit just below the inlay, top on one side and bottom on the other. I would be very greatful if the brains trust could give me their opinion as to era, school and what those marks could be.... Regards and best Chris O

Thanks Richard, Should make a nice placemat, oh well, back to the books. Cheers Chris O

Thanks very much Brian, I guess the mei is as expected, although I do like the tsuba itself and would be interested in discovering if it follows any particular school and time frame or if it is in the same category as the mei? Regards and thanks Chris O

G'day all, I've just picked up what I think is quite a nice looking tsuba from ebay, yeh I know, but I couldn't help myself. The details from the seller suggest: SIZE : Width 2.8" × 2.8" : Length of NAKAGO 1.0" : Weight 250g This is a Japanese Sword guard TSUBA of iron ware and was made about 200 years ago. There is sign of "HIKONE-JYU-SOTEN-SAKU." It means what SOTEN of HIKONE (Shiga) made. SOTEN is very famous TSUBA artist While I don't expect this to be an original early Soten, which I understand are quite difficult to find, I would very much appreciate the opinion of the brains-trust on this piece and a view as to the mei. Cheers and best Chris O

What a great display,and to think this has been right under my nose all this time and I didn't know. Will certainly check it out in March. Great stuff thanks Chris O

Once again many thanks to all for your help. I'm reading as fast and as much as I can with the hope that one day before i fall off my perch I will be in a position to not ask quite so many questions but be able to answer a few myself. It' good to read feedback such as Brians in reference to teaching him a few things. Makes me believe there is hope for me yet, but It does reinforce the fact that I will have to live at least a couple of lifetimes to get to understand this new hobby of mine. Cheers Chris O

I've just had a look at the donations for the 2008 LUCKY PRIZE DRAW and I'm amazed at the generosity of board members who have donated. My congratulations and thanks to all. On another note, I recently acquired my first Sukashi Tsuba and the more I look at it the more confused I get as to Its possible school. It's not easy being a novice you know. I would be greatfull if board members took pity on me and pointed me in the right direction so far as school and possible definition of the design go on this one. Best wishes Chris O